Acetylene-gas generator.



Anathema sAs eEnEnATqn.

med Jim. 31, 1900.)`

`2 sims-snm @No Model.)

1H: nouns PETERS co, mom-uwe., wAsnmm'oN, o. c.

Patnted luly I0, |900.

Y No.` 653,373.

' c. A AcoN. ACETYLENE GAS GENERATOR.

(Application flied Jun. 81, 1900.)

` 2 Sheets-Sheet 2A (No Modal.)

Jrg 2.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLESA. BACON, O F LOCKFORD, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TOSAMUEL H; COHN, OF STOCKTON, CALIFORNIA.

A o E TYLEN E-e/ is c ENERATO R.

SPECIFICATION forming* part Of Letters Patet No 653,373, dated July 10,1900.

Y J Application filed January 3l, 1900; Serial No. 3,411. (No model.)

following to be a full, clear, and exact de-f scription of the same.

My invention relates to au apparatus which ro is designed for theeconomical production of acetylene gas from carbid of calcium.

It comprises a generator with a succession y of independentcarbid-containing boxes; a water-tank with a rising and fallinggasometer and connections between this and the generatorwhereby the gasis transferred from the generator to the gasometer, with means forautomatically cutting oit the flow when the gasometer is sufficientlyfull; a m eans for auzo tomatically supplying water to the generator anda controlling-cock, actuated by the rising gasometer, whereby the supplyof water is cut oi when the gasometer is sufficiently full of gas; atrap intermediate between the watersupply and the generator, and asupplemental passage connecting with said trap and leading into thegasometer, whereby gas produced after the closing of the above-namedvalves is admitted into the gasometer and pressure upon the generator isrelieved.

The invention also'comprises details ot' construction,with means wherebytwo or more generators may be connected with a single gasometer andthrown into operation suc- 3 5 cessively.

Referring to the accompanying drawings for a more complete explanationof my invention, Figure l is an elevation of the machine, partially insection. Fig. 2 is an elevation showing a generator upon each side ofthe tank. Fig. 3 is a sectional detail of the surplus-pipe andconnections. Fig. Lis a section through one of the baskets. Fig. 5 is aperspective'view of the carbid-basket frame- Work. l

Thegasometer-tank A may be of any suitable form and size adapted tocontain water, and 2 is an open-bottomed gasometer adapted to rise andfall within the tank as the supply 5o of gas is admitted or withdrawntherefrom.

3 is the generator, of which there may be one or more, ixed withrelation to the gasometer and having suitable connections whereby gasfrom the generator is delivered into the gasometer. The generator-case 3has a suit- 55 ably-packed cap orcover 4, with means by which it may beremoved for the introduction of the carbid-containing boxes andhermetically closed while the apparatus is at work.

5 is a framework adapted to contain the 6o carbid boxes or baskets 6.This framework, as here shown, consists of vertical bars orrodsconnected together transversely at the bottom and forming short legsat this point, which rest upon the bottom of the containing-chamber. Theupper part of the framework is connected by a band 7, to which the upperends of the vertical bars 5 are connected. These bars are here shown asarranged around half of the circumference of the car- 7o bid-containers,two of the bars forming sides Y and a third one the rear, against whichthe carbid-containers 6 contact when they are in place, the front oropposite side being open., so that they can be easily removed. A handleor bail 8 serves to easily lift the device out and replace it at will.In large machines the containers may be moved independently and theframe 5 be dispensed with. The carbid containers or boxes arecylindrical in So shape and are of such size that each one will containa certain charge of the carbid from which the gas is to be made. Aroundthe upper periphery of the container 6 is a stiening ring or wireforming a bead 6', adapted 85 to ykeep the cover 9 away from the sidesof the container to form a space for access to the holes hereinaftermentioned, said cover fitting upon each of the containers, forming aclosure for the top.. A These containers have 9o short legs orprojections at the bottom, which serve to support them when superposedand leave suicient space between them for the escape of the gas producedin the lower ones. At the same time the separation ofthe carbid into thechambers prevents the undue heating of the masses separated from thosefrom which the gas is being actually produced. The surrounding wateralso assists to keep all parts cool. The tops of the covers 9 have 10oholes punched from the interior upwardly, through which the gas canreadily escape,and

small holes 10 are formed around the sides, close up to the rim of thecontainers, through which water can enter when supplied to the holder 3.The discharge-openings in the top of the covers 9 being raised alittleabove the top of the cover, as shown at 11, prevent the water ofcondensation, of which a considerable amount is formed, from runninginto the carbid-holders before itis desired to moisten the carbid. Theseholders being iilled with the carbid and as many of them placed -in theholding-frame 5 as required or desired, the frame is set into the case 3and the cover closed and sealed.

12 is a water-supply'pipe extending into the lower part of the tank A,and from this pipe a bent trap-pipe 13 extends upwardly transverselyacross the apparatus, then downwardly, and finally connects with thelower part of the holder 3. This construction especially relates to thedevice as shown in Fig. 1, in which a single carbid-receptacle3-isemployed. The upward bend of the trap 13 is sufficient to prevent apressure of gas from the gasometer from forcing its way back throughthis water-supply. The water being admitted into the generator will riseuntil the lower container 6 is sufficiently submerged so that the waterwill enter through the holes 10 and, moistenin g the carbid, thegenerated gas will iiow out through the holes 11 and rising within thecase 3 will pass out through the pipe 14, which delivers it, as shown,into the interior of the gasometer 2, which will be raised by the inliowof gas.

15 is a discharge-pipe, the upper end of which extends above the surfaceof the water within the gasometer-tank, and this pipe extends' outthrough the side at the bottom and connects with any desired servicepipes. When the gas production of the carbid from one of the chambers Ghas ceased, the water will rise and submerge the next one, and so onsuccessively until all of the carbid-containers are successivelyexhausted. The ash remaining is easily washed out by removing the top ofthe chamber 3,1iftin g out the framework 5, with its baskets, and when'desired another set of freshly-charged baskets can be inserted, theframe returned, and the work go on.

16' is a cock or valve in the gas-supplyl pipe 14, having a lever-arm 17extending to one side. This arm has a fork, as shown at 18, theconstruction of this lever being the same as lever 22 shown at theleft-hand side of the tank in Fig.` 1, said arm 17 being shown in edgeview in said` figure. the` vertical rod 20, which is carried by thegasometer-tank 2 and extends down beside the forked lever, so that thepiu 19 extends between the forks of the lever. These parts areadjustable to suit requirements. The' upper fork of this lever is curvedbackwardly and is shorter than the lower one, and this allows the pin 19to be withdrawn from the fork asthe gasometer rises; but this withdrawalonly ing the Water into the gas-pipes. by use of the gas the gasom'eteragain sinks,

19 isa pin Iixed to `cap 28.

ing ofthe gasometer the cock through which the gas flows into thegasometer will be closed. No further supply can be received until thegasometer again sinks. When it does thus sink, the pin 19 will pass theupper arm of the forked lever and will contact with the lower arm., thuspushing the lever down and again opening the cock to allow gas to enterthe gasometer. The Water-supply pipe or trap 13 has a similar cock 21,with a forked arm 22, which is operated by a pin 23 on the rod 24,carried by the gasometer, and said arm carrying a weight w, which actsthrough the arm to close olf the Water-supply to the carbid-containerswhen the gasometer has been sufficiently filled with gas. When thegasometer rises to a certain height, the gas-inlet and water-outletpipes are closed. The supply being cut off in an arm of the trap 13, nemore water will iiow from the tank A to the carbid holders; but theamount of water 'which is already in the generator will continue toproduce a small amount of gas, which l must be provided for. 1 shown vapipe 25, connecting with the upper 1 part of the trap 13, extendingdownward and entering into the bottom of the tank A. Above the pipe 25extends a small valve-controlled I have therefore pipe 25, which allowsair to escape whenthe trap, is first filled with water, and above` thepipe 15 is a pipe or guide 15 to guide the gasomcter and prevent itsturning. Within the L tank this pipe rises and connects with a coveredbox or case 26,whic his situated in the upper part of the tank and whichhas openings on 1 the top, theseopenin gs serving as an overow. i Anypressure of gas which conti-nues to be generated after the main gas-admission valve has been closed will act through the trap 13, forcing anyremaining Water from the trap and through the pipe 25 and up into thebox j 26, and if the supply is greater than this-box i will hold it willoverflow gently into the tank A and without splashing or danger ofthrew- Whenever the main water and gas controlling valves will be openedand water will be again ad'- mitted to the gas-generator. The apparatusthus works automatically. As the gas produced in this manneris loadedwith moisture, I have shown a device consisting of carbidcontainingchambers 27, with which the serf vice-pipe connects, so that the gasfrom the service-pipe will dow through this dry carbid before passingout for use.` Above the containers 27 is a seal-cap 23, into which thegas passes. Thence it passes down through a passage at 29 and finallydischarges into the service-pipe comparatively dry from its passagethrough this body of carbid, which may be changed from time to time byremoving the y 3G is a removable ash-receiver bel-ewV thesedrying-chambers.

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The apparatus, as shown in Fig. 2, has two l generators suitablydisposed with relation to the gasometer and its tank. In this case Ihave shown the water-supply pipe connected with each of the generatorsat the bottom, and they may be provided with cocks 30 to cut off thesupply to either when recharging. At other times both cocks are open andwater will pass into the generator which is deliverin g gas; butgas-pressure from the other keeps the water out until its gas-dischargecock has been opened after the first generator is exhaust-ed. While oneof the generators is in operation the gas passes therefrom through thetransverse pipe 3l, which connects the two generators and which isprovided with cocks 32, operated by levers 33 and 3l. Intermediatebetween these levers the pipe 3l connects with the pipe 14, whichconducts the gas into the gasometer, and the lever 33 being in positionto open the cock which it controls the gas will iiow from pipe 3lthrough the open cock, and thus into the gasometer, as long as thegenerator with which it connects is producing gas. Vthen this becomesexhausted, the gasometer will sink until a pin 38 on rod 39 will act toopen the cock connecting with the right-hand generator, so that whenthis commences to produce gas the gas will iiow through this cock andinto the pipe l2,which connects with the gasometer. Vhen the generatorsare both charged, one of the cocks is open and the other is closed, andwhen both generators are exhausted both cocks are left open. The trapshown at 13 in this case is arranged similarly to that previouslydescribed, so that any surplus pressure of gas after the cock betweenthe generator and the gasometer has been closed will pass upward throughthis trap, thence down into the pipe 25, leading into the gasometer, asbefore described. This pipe may open into a box similar to 26,previously described, or, as here shown, it is inclosed in a largerperforated tube 37, so that any gas entering through this pipe will passoutward through the perforations in the tube in very ne streams and willthus not undulyagitate the water in the gasometer-tank.

By discharge-cocks 40 the generators may be washed out without openingthe top. When this is done, air is admitted through cocks 4l to thewater-supply pipes or traps to prevent the water from being drawn out ofthese parts by suction.

Where two generators are employed, as in Fig. 2, the water-supply pipel2 connects with the bottom of the pipe 25, en tering thegasometer-tank, and there are openings 43 at the bottom of this pipeinterior to the tank to admit water to the pipe 25, while the pipecontinues up within the gasometer and is inclosed in a perforated tube37, as previously described.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire tosecure by Letters Patent, is

l. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination of a generator, agasometerand means connecting it with the generator, a frame consistingof vertical bars, a support near the bottom and a band at the top saidframe having supporting-legs and being open at one side to permit thecarbid-containers to be inserted and removed sidewise, the independentcarbid-containers superposed one above another, means for admittingwater into the generator at a point below the lowermostcarbid-container, and means whereby the water Vsuccessively enters eachcontainer after the carbid in the one below has become exhausted.

2. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination of a generator, agasometer and means connecting it with the generator, means foradmitting water to the generator, carbid-containers including boxeshaving lugs at the bottom for separating adjacent boxes and therebyforming a gas-passage, said boxes formed with an annular bead at the topand a series of water-inlet passages below the bead, and covers for theboxes having depending anges covering the said inlet-openings andseparated therefrom by said bead, and said covers having openings intheir tops for the escape of gas into the space between the separatedboxes.

3. In an acetylene-gas machine, the combination of a gasometer, agenerator and a valvecontrolled pipe connecting it with the gasomf eter,a valve-controlled water-supply pipe connecting the lower part of thetank with the generator, and having a vertically-dis,

posed curved trap in its length, carbid-containers Within the generator,and a pipe connection between the interior of the gasometer and the trapwhereby gas which continues to generate when the valves are closed willact to force any remaining water from the generator into the gasometer,said connection also serving to transfer gas thus produced to saidgasometer.

4. In an acetylene-gas mach1ne,the combination of a gasometer, agenerator, a valvecontrolled pipe between the gasometer and generator, avalve-controlled water-supply, carbid-containers, and means connectingwith the water-pipe whereby gas and waterv remaining in the generatorafter the main4 valves are closed are conducted to the gasometer. A y

5. In an acetylene-gas machine, a gasometer, a water-tank within whichitis adapted to rise and fall, an exterior generator com-,

prising a series of independent superposed carbid-containers,apipeconnecting the lower part of the gasometer-.tank with the lower, part ofthe generator whereby water isA ad-,

mitted to successively submerge the carbidcontainers, a pipe connectingthe generatorchamber with the gasometer through whichV gas is deliveredinto the gasometer, a cock,

and a lever-arm connected with and actuated by the rise and fall of thegasometerwhereby;

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said cock is closed when the gaso-meter is suficiently filled, asimilarly-actuated cock by which the water-supply to the generator iscutoff at the same time, an upwardly-curved Y trap between thewater-supply cock and the generator, and connections between the upperpart of said trap and the interior of the gasometer whereby gas whichcontinues to generate will act to force any remaining water from thegenerator into the gasometer, said connection serving also to transfergas thus produced to the gasometer.

6. In an acetylene-gas machine, a gasometer, a tank containing water inwhich a gasometer is adapted to rise and fall, an exterior generatorconsisting of a vertical chamber, removable independent carbidcontainers, snperposed one upon the other. within the generator, withopenings whereby water may be admitted and gas discharged from each apipe connecting the upper part of the generator with the gasometer todeliver gas therein, a water-supply pipe connecting the lower part ofthe gasometer-tank with the lower part of the generator, an intermediateupwardly-curved trap and connection between said trap and the interiorof the gasometer, a cock whereby the direct admission of gas from thegenerator to the gasometer is cut off when the latter is sufficientlyiilled, another ometer-tank is cut off from the trap at the Sametime, aconnection between the trap and the interior of the gasometer wherebythe gas which is subsequently produced in the generator forces theremaining water back into the gasometer-tank, and an overiiow box ordevice within the gasometer through which the water and gas thusentering must pass.

'7. In an acetylene-gas machine, a rising and falling gasometer, awater-containing tank within which the gasometer moves, a generator withindependent carbid-containers,

means for supplying water to successively submerge said containers, apipe connecting the upper part of the generator with the interior of thegasometer, a water-supply pipe connecting the lower part of thegasometertank with the lower part of the generator and a trapintermediate thereof, a cock between the generator and the gasometer,and a similar cock between the water-tank and the trap leading to thegenerator, said cocks having forked levelearms connected therewith, thelower fork of each arm extending in line with the lever and the upperone forming a seg mental curve of less length than the lower arm, rodsconnected with the gasometer extending vertically downward by the sidesof v said lever-arms and having pins fixed thereto and projecting so asto enter the forks of the levers, said pins acting to close the'cockwhen the gasometer is suiiiciently filled and to be disengaged from theforked levers as they rise after said closing, and to again engageconnections between said trap and the inte rior of the gasometer wherebysurplus gas produced after the closing of the main cocks is admittedinto the gasometer, and water from the generator is also forced back,and an overflow box or device through which the gas and water thu-stransmitted are returned without agitation ot the waterin thegasometer-tank. container as they are successively submerged,

9. In an acetylene-gas apparatus, a generator, a gasometer, connectionsby which the gasv is transmitted from the generator to the gasometer,and a separate passage through which surplus gas and water remaining inthe generator after the main flow is cut off are also conducted to thegenerator, a pipe by which the gas is conveyed from the gasometer to theservice-pipes, and a means for drying the gas thus discharged,consisting of a dry-carbid v container through which the gas is passed.cock by which the water-supply from the gas* 10. In an acetylene-gasmachine, a gasomeit'er, a water-containing tank in which it is i adaptedto rise and fall, a plurality of generators exterior thereto consistingof exterior chambers with removable hermetically-closed tops, a seriesof carbid-containers superposed 1 and tting each of the chambers,connections between the lower part of the gasometer-tank and the lowerpart of the generators, and con- 1 trolling-cocks whereby water isadmitted suc- 1 cessively to each of the generators, gas-conductingpipes opening from the upper part of the generators and connecting witha pipe common to both which leads to the gasometer,

, cocks by which the branch to either general tor may be closed oropened with connected lever-arms, rods connected with the gasome- ;terhaving pins fixed thereto and adapted to contact with the lever-armswhereby the latter are opened or closed by the movements of thegasometer, supplemental pipes leading from the branches of eachgenerator, a trap through which said pipes deliver into the lower partof the gasometer whereby surplus gas generated after the closing of themain cock is allowed to pass into the gasometer,

. and a muffler or disperser whereby the iiow of gas into the gasometeris prevented from agitating the water in the gasometer-tank.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand.

CHAS. A. BACON. lVitnesses:

S. H. Nounsn, .Tassin C. BRoDIE.

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